there is regrettably only one john paul stevens. he may, in fact, be the only person who's ever shared a stage with two of my other personal heros, thurgood marshall and bob dylan. he was not playing the band, but being awarded the presidential medal of freedom. justice stevens has value i can'tly -- valiantly received the nation earning a bronze star in world war ii. president nixon nominated him to the u.s. court of appeals in the 7th circuit and nominated by president ford, he received over 34 years, the third longest tenure in american history. upon his retirement in 2010, one commentator argued convincely, justice stevens was the greatest associate supreme court justice in american history in lite of the diverse areas of laws in which he left such a profound mark. in addition to the wisdom in the opinions, his writing is a model of clarity, elegance, and wit. justice stevens, by word and deed, inspires us to strive for a more perfect nation and to do so with a civility, decency, and good hue martha reflects the -- humor that re